Final Thoughts: Parable of the Two Sons
(from p.44 Congregational Self-Study)
For the past fifteen months we have been on a journey of self-evaluation as we worked through the Five Focus areas of the interim process, and for fifteen months we have struggled. We struggled with change. We struggled with inertia. We struggled with the weight of our past.
Like any good Presbyterian Session, we enthusiastically set about the task of completing the Congregation Self-Study. Session members were tasked with interviewing our membership, and with more than sixty percent responding, collected, collated, and interpreted over 300 pages of data and produced what we thought was a thorough and representative document. We submitted this document to our COM liaison for input, fully expecting that she would say, “Well-done good and faithful servants.” Imagine our surprise when she responded with recommended revisions – but more importantly posed two very powerful questions: “Where is God present in this process?” and “Where is God leading us?” We had produced the perfect corporate document without addressing Spirit’s presence amongst us and the process. We built a fine- looking house but forgot the foundation.
Not unlike the first son in the Parable of the Two Sons in Matthew 21:28-31, Session’s initial response to the critique was stunned disbelief, which led to resistance. “What do you mean it’s not there?” With the guidance of our interim pastor, over the course of two intense weeks and 4 special Sessions, space was created – Spirit entered – something shifted and we were transformed. For the first time in anyone’s memory, we had courageous, vulnerable conversations that welcomed Spirit in.
As a Session, we now recognize that we haven’t been fulfilling our role as spiritual leaders of our community but have been tied to process and doing. We realize that we, as individuals, must have a meaningful spiritual practice that then gets brought into Session and informs how we lead corporately. Faith is a process that begins at the cradle and ends at the grave. This process needs to be intentionally tended and developed and we, as a Session, are committed to nurturing it. Our prayer is that we can find a pastor who will help us to continue to grow in the Spirit. Our openness to growing is our gift to the pastor who covenants to walk with us.
Moving forward we will be guided by these words from Hebrews 12:1-3: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
